Moisturizers for Stitching

Winter is coming and that always means much drier skin. For stitchers and knitters dry skin can cause threads to snag – especially silks and synthetics.  For quilters handling fabrics causes dry hands to be even drier.

For needleworkers it is always a good idea to pay attention to your choice of moisturizer.  I want a moisturizer to feel like I have nothing on my hands and I prefer it to be unscented.  As a needleworker it is important to know that my lotion is not going to damage my work.  Unless the lotion (or cream) has been tested there is absolutely no way to know if one (or more) of the ingredients will cause the dyes to release and bleed.  Also, it is important to know that the moisturizer will not stain fabric or thread.

My “favorite” stitching lotion is actually a rotation of a few products.

• Stitchers Lotion has been available for several years and is carried in most needlework shops and online.  I keep the small one in my stitching bag and the bigger one in my stitching room.  The unscented is really unscented!!
  

                    Stitchers Lotion from Yarn Tree – photo from Yarn Tree website

• LaviShea Lotion Bar has also been around for a while, I have bought these at my needlework store and amazon. I like this since I can’t spill.  I tend to use this when I am quilting.
  

                          LaviShea Unscented Lotion Bar – photo from LaviShea website

• Au ver a soie hand cream is from the maker of the lovely silks from France.  I have not been able to find this recently and am not sure it is still available.  If you are lucky enough to find some, buy it.
                               Au Ver A Soie hand cream – photo from this website
• Acid Mantle hand cream from Doak Pharmaceuticals – this product has evolved over the years (aka A-Mantle).  I do not know if this amazing cream is still available because the current price of this jar is ridiculous ($599.95 with free shipping as of 11/18/18). My last purchase was about $30 for a 4 oz jar.
  

                                        Acid Mantle Cream – photo from amazon

 

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Lotion For The Softest Hands Ever

It is safe to say that I have tried dozens of lotions over the years. I am very particular about what I use, my sensitivity to scents means finding a lotion I like is a tough task.

My latest find is fabulous!! I was at Natural Grocers and they have a display for Nova Scotia Fishermen, I bought a small bag called the Stem to Stern Pack, it has travel size products that include: lotion, rescue balm, soap and lip balm.

The photo is from Nova Scotia Fisherman.  I don’t know if you can pick and choose the products on the website but at my local store the packs had variety – all had the same lotion and rescue balm but the soap and lip balm varied. My pack had the Sea Kelp lotion, Rescue Balm, Fishermint lip balm, and Seabuckthorn and Shea soap.

I started using the lotion at night and noticed a difference right away.  It is truly remarkable how much I like this and even though it has a scent it is pleasant and not strong… not floral, not fruity.  The rescue balm smells a little medicinal but the scent does not hang on and it has be come my “secret sauce” at work.  I work in the medical field and use biometric finger prints to track activities and secure access in our system.  It was a daily struggle to get the system to recognize my fingerprint until now.

The lotion is on my nightstand, the rescue balm is in my lab coat, the soap is by my sink and the lip balm in in my pack that goes everywhere with me.  I am thrilled with these products!

Next time… lotions to use when you are stitching or crafting.

More Halloween ….

I almost forgot about these small quilts. I put them out this morning – so cute!

This is a Thimbleberries project that I made a few years ago. And…

This is a paper pieced project from years gone by.

More later..

Halloween Decorating Fun

I am happy to have my Halloween decorations up!

This is in our great room – small but sweet. The jack-o-lantern is almost as old as me.. as in vintage! My mom made it when I was in either elementary or middle school… after years of use the electric gave up and I have not been able to find a fixture that will fit. I have been lighting it using a battery candle but really want to find a plug in replacement. I will check to see what the craft stores have this year. I may need to be more creative in my thinking.

The cobweb throw is a crochet project from last year.

My super cute Kleenex house.

The only piece I have finished from the Mosey ‘n Me Thanksgiving series.

A couple of cute accents.

Fun votive holders from Yankee Candle.

My sad shoulders have been super sad this week so no crafting.

Ohhh… and next week I will share my new quilty goodies!

Just Cross Stitch 2018 Ornament Issue

The Just Cross Stitch 2018 Special Holiday Issue – Christmas Ornaments is out and available where you like to shop. I picked up my copy last week and, as always, I’m inspired.

I need more stitch time – at least I have some. But I really want unlimited time – totally unrealistic!!

So… as I browse the ornament issue, in addition to being inspired I am also surprised. Maybe I just never noticed before (I will be looking at older issues) but … I am surprised and frankly stunned at the quality of the finishing of the ornaments that are included.

I am constantly talking about spending time to learn how to do ornament finishing. My finishing is acceptable but it could definitely look more professional if I spent some time with practice, YouTube and some finishing books in my library. The finishing on many of the photos in this issue look like my work – the amateur hour. What the heck? If the idea is to make me feel like I can achieve the look it was misguided. I find the sloppy presentation very distracting.

This is the latest issue.

Sticking to Knitting

For the last couple of weeks my time has been spent with the knit lap afghan made from Lion Brand Mandala. I started the third and last skein a couple of days ago. Here is how it looks now…

Of course, projects always take longer to make than I expect, lol. Maybe finished by Halloween??!!??

The pattern I’m using is from Plymouth yarns called textured boxes baby blanket – here is the link

Needlepoint & Knitting

Oh my! I have missed my needlearts so much and I am back to it … in a small way.

I have progressed with my physical therapy so that I am able to “craft” for 15 minutes, break for 60 minutes and repeat.  I should be able to get more time as my shoulder gets stronger.

This is what I am working on:

TS Elephant Needlepoint

I have had this great canvas for a long time but it was calling, and I answered.  I couldn’t find stretcher bars the length needed for the longest side (21 inches), I suspect that they are not made in that length.  I used 22 inch bars and laced the sides — it took forever but it will be easy to adjust the tension if i need to.  I am using the stitch guide that came with the canvas (of course, with modifications).  Threads so far are floss, perle cotton and metallic braid.

Textured Boxes Blanket

This is the blanket I started last year, ripped out, started, ripped out, started ….. and finally I was happy and continued on.  The pattern is a freebie from Plymouth Yarn called Baby Angel Textured Boxes Baby Blanket, the yarn is Mandala by Lion Brand in color Chimera.  I have three balls and this is the second.  It should be a nice size for baby or lap, we will see.  I really the like color changes with this yarn, it is a lighter weight (rated as #3) and I think it it knitting up beautifully.

 

 

The Physical Therapist used the “S” Word

The word is “stitch”!

My therapist says I am getting closer to stitching time! In the meantime, I am finally physically able and have decided to continue with my needlework inventory. This time I am working on my needlework library. Documenting what I have is time consuming but it is pretty fabulous to be able to look at my personal pins to find a kit, magazine, chart or whatever! I have learned to put a location in my pin and just realized that I didn’t do that with today’s pins. Off to do some updating..

If you use Pinterest, you can find my pins under Janice Lynn jlbfjlbf.

Happy World Elephant Day!

Twelve Weeks of Recovery and ….

I’m still not doing any crafting – no needlepoint, cross stitch, quilting, knitting… you get the idea. I am still not driving … maybe soon.

I suspect that the craft stores – both local and online are wondering why sales have slumped. I refuse to buy new projects and supplies until I am back to crafty shape. Except…. I found and bought the new Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch. Seriously, I was afraid if I waited until I was able to stitch, the 2019 issue would be out.

And just for the record, I have never, ever completed a single project from any Halloween issue. They are a must have for my library and I love to dream.

If only… Rebecca Woods Texas Needlepoint

Back to work this week went well, physical therapy is also going well. If I were confident that I would be able to handle it, I would seriously be considering signing up for this class.

This is called Texas and is a handpainted canvas by Rebecca Woods. Since there is no chance of my being ready to attend any class for a while (it could be months because I expect my left shoulder to need surgery next.) I deleted the message regarding the where & when details. Sorry, I can’t tell you where this amazing piece will be taught – I believe it is a three day class held in September at a shop in Texas. This is one of those projects that gets into my head and I can’t seem to let it go. Maybe it will be offered again and I will have my chance.